Riti strani tra avversione e fascino. I divieti alimentari ebraici agli occhi dei Greci e dei Romani

This essay explores the various attitudes which Greek and Latin authors assumed toward the Jewish food prohibitions, in the Greek and especially Roman context between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. Such attitudes vary from simple curiosity, to mockery, to strong critique, without excluding some fascination toward what was perceived as one of the most representative features of the Jewish religion. The analysis examines the primary historical, social, and cultural contexts in which a discourse on Jewish food prohibitions emerged in classical literature and the responses to such discourse offered by Jewish-Hellenistic authors. The interpretation goes beyond the traditional political or identitarian readings of these passages. It highlights the potential of discourses regarding animals (and animal consumption) to foster intellectual and intercultural engagement in ancient religions and philosophies